Tagged: couples session

Brittany & Phil – A Well-Documented Love Affair

After receiving Brittany’s email, I was left with a feeling of familiarity. Something about her message left me curious with a sense of Déjà vu. I started a quick hunt through my email archive and it didn’t take long to identify the familiar source. I had chatted with Brittany previously when she was planning her wedding. While I didn’t end up capturing her wedding, she had reached out to me once more to capture her first anniversary photos with, now husband, Phil.

I think Brittany & Phil have a truly brilliant plan for their life together. They intend to get professional photographs every year on or around their wedding anniversary. I’m thrilled just to be included as the first photographer in this plan. Honestly, my wife and I believe the same, but are rather lacking with our actual execution. Something tells me this won’t be the case for Brittany & Phil.

So why does this plan make so much sense to me? We say “love affair” when we speak of couples whose connection seems transient. Instead, I like to believe “love affair” should refer to life-long passions tied to your most dear partner. Rather than speaking of a transient connection, “love affair” should speak of deep, smoldering, lasting lives together. “Love affairs” should be the kind of relationship we tell out children about. It shouldn’t be transient or temporary, but instead documented and savored.

So here is a salute to Brittany & Phil’s well-documented love affair. I certainly hope you enjoy the little highlights below from this life well-lived – together.

A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil. A summer anniversary session in Cleveland for Brittany and Phil.

Monica & Grant – A Family Photo Session in Cleveland

It all started as a weird series of text messages between my brother and I. A friend of his was looking to do a family photo session. We went back and forth on the details, and then things went kinda pear-shaped.

“What would you think about a trade,” my brother asked. Asking for more details, my brother offered up the goods – “Grant is a craft cocktail specialist, and he gives lessons.” My interest was officially piqued. I like to think of myself as a whiskey aficionado. In particular, I have a rather strong predilection for Manhattan’s. I discussed the matter further with my brother, and then started discussing the trade with Grant. What started as an idea, quickly morphed into something that would happen. The pear-shape idea went completely square and the whole thing was set in motion.

Grant and Monica would come to Cleveland for their family session and to give friends at my house a craft cocktail lesson. The next day, we would capture some family photos for them. After weeks of planning, the weekend finally arrived. The craft cocktail party went off without a hitch. Both Monica and Grant really hit a home run. I think everyone had fun, since people stayed until well past midnight. We met for the family session the next morning, starting at the Cleveland Museum of Art and then we headed into a local park. Monica & Grant’s family is small – just the two of them. They were recently married and wanted some good portraiture to add to their wedding photos. Personally, I’m thrilled with how everything came out.

Before I move onto the highlights, I thought I would share one of my favorite cocktail recipes. Warning though, these are strong and addictive –

Classic 212 Manhattan

2 oz. Maker’s Mark Bourbon
1 oz. Carpano Antica vermouth
2 dashes Agnostura bitters
STIR over ice till chilled
Serve up in a martini glass
Garnish with two Amarena Fabbri cherries

Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica. Family photography session in Cleveland with Grant and Monica.

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